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Monday, December 31, 2018

Looking Back

Christmas is over, it's the last day of 2018 and I'm looking forward to the year to come. New colours to try out (and Erin will be telling you all about them shortly); new designs and maybe getting around to seeing some of the plans I've had for a while come to fruition. All I need is 48 hours in every day!

Looking back over the last year and wondering what to make for today's post, I couldn't help but return to a pair I liked so much I used them for my Etsy shop banner and for my business cards. I wasn't able to replicate them as the headpins and lampwork beads were unique, and nor would I want to.  So here's a variation on a theme.



The crusty bubbly drippy lampwork headpins in luscious lilacs and pinks are of course by Kimberly Rogers. Those 'lit from within' beads are the world famous Basha Beads and the central black arte metal lily structure that I've split with rhinestone rondelles is from Fallen Angel Brass.


         Not unlike the icicles that are supposed to be heading our way with a cold snap next week!


 
 
It just remains for me to thank you all for following our blog this year, for your support and your encouraging comments. We all hope to see you again in 2019, to join us in new earring adventures.
 
Happy New 2019!
 
Lindsay x
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, December 28, 2018

Ending

the year on a flowery note.  I hope you like them. 


Here's a closer look.  In this first pair I've combined brown, blue, gold and grey/blue with gold hearts and butterflies.  


Reds, cream, fuchsia, pink  


Rustic bronze/dark red with bronze cream/white and gold hearts


Cream, blue, greens, pinks with gold butterflies


and the classic black and white softened slightly with grey.


Some of the bigger clusters felt a tad heavy so I decided to go with posts instead of ear wires.  Posts are great for making heavier earrings feel much lighter.  
A short and sweet post to end the year, I hope you all have a fantastic 2019. See you next year <3

(These earrings will be available in my first show of 2019 in The Earrings Show on 02/01/19)
Suhana 

My Etsy shop: Suhana Hart Jewellery

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Boxing Day Blues

The day after Christmas - Boxing Day. Why is it so named? In England and former commonwealth countries it was traditionally the day that servants were given the day off, and were given a 'Christmas Box'  from their masters to take home to their family.

The earrings I'm showing you today were the contents of a prettily wrapped box I gave to my sister Claire for Christmas. Not that she's my servant - the other way round, if anything - she's only a year younger than me, and we've always been very close, but she can still wrap me round her little finger!

I often make her a pair of earrings for Christmas but this year I wanted them to be extra special - she celebrates her 50th wedding anniversary on 4th January and she and my brother in law are going on their first cruise, to the Caribbean.  She's been a magpie since we were little and loves a bit of sparkle and glitter, so I bought some of  Suhana's crystal wrapped hoops in Claire's favourite aqua. She doesn't like them too long, and can only wear niobium earwires these days but the aqua niobium looks perfect. To keep them fairly short I wrapped swarowski crystal pearls in iridescent light blue underneath the top of the hoop.


                     Hoping she loves them, and has a great time on their cruise - they deserve it!

 
 
Take it easy today after all the festivities, and I'll see you on New Years Eve!
 
Lindsay x
 
 
 

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas

Handmade earrings for the holidays are especially festive.  Personally, I prefer holiday colored earring without the usual culprits  - no Santas, reindeer, elves, gift boxes or fake tree lights.  This pair of earrings fits the bill.
The glass beads have a green and red core, with a swirl of glittery blue winding around it.  The colored glasses is encased in clear glass, giving the beads depth and intensity. The hammered gold ovals add to the festive spirit and reflect the light a bit.  These earrings are available in my shop.
All of us at Earrings Everyday wish you a joyous holiday season, filled with laughter and love. 💖

Linda Landig Jewelry 






Friday, December 21, 2018

We're All Ears :: Use Your Leftovers Challenge

Hello beady peeps! So sorry for the delay in posting. It has been a tough week for me to get anything done. I suppose that is why I call it a challenge! :-)

I didn't have as much time to get to my studio as I wanted due to some unforeseen circumstances, but just enough time to come up with three pairs of earrings for my holiday garb. I am not going to show you my craftastrophe mess. Because it actually hasn't changed from last year! Or the year before that!




For my husband's family we choose a theme each year and this year it is "tacky Christmas" which means loads of garish prints and ugly sweaters. Wasn't sure what to do, but then spotted the leftovers of an abandoned craft project. In doing the downtown window decoration at the Gallery Q, I ended up with quite a few burned out light bulbs that I couldn't bear to throw away. So I dabbed them with alcohol inks and metallics. I used some epoxy clay to hold ball chain around the top and the wire hanger. Originally, I thought they would make interesting ornaments, but never made more than two. And two is a pair which is perfect for earrings! So I added a couple of ear wires and will don these with my ugly fuzzy pug jingle sweater. I think it will be the perfect accompaniment (especially since they don't match). Perfectly tacky in every way! (Plus I think I will put out the bowl of bulbs because they are sort of pretty!)




My family comes to my house for Christmas day but it is a more traditional celebration. I also need to cantor the songs at church that morning. So tacky garb just won't do! I usually buy myself a Christmas sweater to wear. This year I found a really deep shade of plum with crystals around the collar. So something simple is in order. 




I grabbed a couple kinds of sparkling crystals and some chain and post earrings. Easy-peasy! They came together pretty quick. However, to match the bugle beads on my sweater I think that the simpler pair wins. What do you think? (Excuse the post-workout hairdo!)



Did you know that there are at least 40 different holidays around the world celebrated in December alone!? I hope that no matter where you are, or what you celebrate during this festive time of year that it is a time of joy and rest and reconnecting with the people you love and refocusing on what really matters. 

Happy holidays one and all! 

In the spirit of giving, I will offer a giveaway of an Emergency Earring Making kit - with beads and findings from my prodigious stash for you to use to make multiple pairs of earrings - valued at over $40. But in order to be chosen, you have to participate in the blog hop starting on December 21st. Winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries on December 31st (that will give you more than one full week to make your Leftover Transformation magic happen!). I'll even leave the LinkyTools party open until December 31st so you have lots of time to play! I will announce the winner in the first challenge of the New Year on January 4th!

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Oops

Hi friends. 
Yep, oops, that was what I thought some minutes ago. I completely forgot it was my turn today. But, luckily it is still Thursday...
My earrings today are not new but made for one of my shows on facebook this month. As I am not so into Christmas, they are not very Christmassy. But they have some sparkle :)

These are made with lampwork glass headpins from Jodia Elasia Schiavo, glass beads from Jennifer Powers and handmade ear wires by our own Lucy

Thank you so much for looking and your support for Earrings Everyday :)
And you know I love to read your comments, so don't be shy and leave some words.
See you in two weeks.

Wishing you all a wonderful day, full of joy, laughter and Christmas pudding,
Janine
Esfera Jewelry


Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Like Crystal Snowflakes Falling




Two dazzling crystal clear vintage Swarovski snowflakes!




Highly faceted AB vintage crystals from the 1930's add a touch of beautiful color.





I made these as a Christmas gift for one of my oldest and dearest friends - she loves Swarovski and vintage as much as I do!


This was a short but hopefully sweet post as things are getting crazy the week before Christmas!

Thank you so much for stopping by and having a peek!  I will meet with you again in the New Year!  

Cheers!!

Loralee

www.loraleekolton.etsy.com


Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Moonlit Dreams

Hi everyone and thank you for inviting me to join you.
At this time of year everybody is soooo busy, as I’m sure you all are.
But we must make time to for ourselves and our dreams……


These beautiful lampwork beads from Karin Hruza are the most incredible deep blue , think blue velvet ,very very dreamy!! And straight away I thought of dreamy moonlight.



I wire wrapped silver wire into 2 hoops and gave them an aged patina overlapping the darkened silver with more bright silver wire .

Silver wire was then wrapped and twirled to form a catcher onto which I added tiny crystals and rock crystal drops .


Topping the beautiful beads with my own crinklies in sterling silver a and adding my own ‘ pins silver earwires.

A touch of gentle glamour for Christmas and the New year.

See you on New Year’s Day , enjoy your holiday!!

Love and hugs Lucy Haslam
https://www.facebook.com/Faerystone-386263424737535/



Sunday, December 16, 2018

All that glitters

Hello everyone! My last post of the year, and it's a glittery one :-)

Treated myself to these beautiful components from Petra Carpreau's shop. Firstly, these gorgeous porcelain and ceramic triple star stacks with 3 different glazes. Aren't they fantastic?
I added some brass triangles with some African silver spacers, and Hill Tribe silver beads. Cool party
 earrings, perfect for the festive  season!
Now this next pair are a commission and feature more of Petra's triple glaze stacks, but this time -pretty circles. This time I wrapped some pretty bronze seed beads around the middle section and added some more gorgeous Hill Tribe silver beads

The star earrings are available in my shop And that's it from me for 2018. Just remains for me to wish you a Happy Christmas and a happy, creative 2019 

Sue x

Friday, December 14, 2018

Just Because

I decided to go all glamorous for today's post.  Perfect for winter (my favourite season).

First up are my wire wrapped hoops but on a much bigger scale, topped by cute little ceramic birds by Caroline Dewison.


Another view.


Then there are these.  I had to find a way to include a rainbow :D Here I have wire wrapped brass triangle frames with cup chain, stacked with silver plated brass, raw brass caps and Czech glass flowers. I'm making more of these btw ;)  


Another view.


These will be listed on Etsy shortly.  Have a lovely weekend everyone.,  See you soon with my last post of the year.
Suhana <3

My Etsy Shop: Suhana Hart Jewellery

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Springtime, at the Edge of Winter...

It's nearly Winter Solstice, but I'm still loving florals, especially 
when they're as pretty as the flowers created by
Beth Mellor and Raida Disbrow, here and below.  


These earrings can be found and purchased here.





Such gentle beauty and color from Beth's glass tulip beads (with their blue petals laid over
 underlying green) and Raida's lovely floral enameled copper charms!  I complemented them
 with small blue Czech glass tulip beads, 4-mm olivine Czech glass discs, tiny rosy bicone 
Swarovski crystals, and small leafy copper bead caps.   


Thank you so much for reading!  I'll be back soon. 💗 The happiest of holidays to you all!

xoxo
Meridy
Two Trees Studio

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Spring in Mind

I know we are in the run up to Christmas but I've had enough of seasonal jewellery already! I started making for Christmas about 3 months ago and peaked last weekend so I'm now on the other side and looking forward to spring designs. My January copy of 'Vogue' arrived this morning and I've already got some new colour combinations planned.

Recently I've been excited by Helen Backhouse's venture into ceramics. I've made a few pairs of earrings which have all flown out but I saved my favourite pair for today's blog post.




The detail on these is quite incredible - the veining, the colouring. I've turned them in opposing directions for added interest.  Above the connectors are some of my favourite lampwork beads from Emma Ralph - great shapes, colours and textures - with bronze spacers from Anna Chernykh and opaque emeralds. Earwires are (of course)  by Lucy Haslam.


                   Below are chunky matte kyanite beads and tiny pieces of silvery leaf chain.



They'll be in my Etsy shop if you'd like them. And I shall be back with you all on Boxing Day - so from me and my family to you and yours - have a very Merry Christmas!

                                                                            Lindsay  x

                                                                         My Etsy shop

                                                                     My facebook page

Monday, December 10, 2018

Textures of porcelain


I have a love of wildlife and quite often I like to use birds in my designs. These two pairs of earrings feature porcelain components by Emma Wilson and both have a bird theme. I just love the detail and texture as well as subtle colours in Emma’s organic designs. Her pieces are small and dainty so I feel require a delicate and sympathetic touch when designing with them.



For this first pair of earrings I have used Emma’s components with a bird design and chose to highlight the pink/red colours with lampwork spacers and headpins by Linsey Peck as well as using a hint of gold with the seed beads and bead caps. The bronze ear wires are by Louise Goodchild.


For the next pair I have used Emma’s fan shaped components that have an Art Deco feel about them and thought that these adorable lampwork birds by Juliette Mullett would fit perfectly. Again, I have matched the pink and blue colours with lampwork spacer beads and some shimmery textured Czech glass daggers that reflect both colours. Then I've finished off with brass/gold colour bead caps. The ear wires are gold filled.

Thank you for reading. Both pairs are available in my FB group as from today - Nicola Morse - Jewellery & components




Friday, December 7, 2018

We're All Ears :: 4th Annual Use Your Leftovers Challenge!

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving was a full TWO WEEKS AGO! That early Thanksgiving has left me a bit bewildered and it makes December seem that much longer. I am not a big fan of the cold (today, as I write this I am refusing to wear socks! Keep in mind that I live in the middle of Wisconsin with snow!), but I am a big fan of the traditions of decorations, baking, singing and, of course, gifting. 

I am sure that if you are here we are kindred spirits and you surround yourself with an overabundance of beads and baubles and bits that are cast-offs from your flurry of frenzied making in these past weeks. When you are a creator there is no way that you can escape the curse of leftovers. And that is exactly what this month's challenge is all about.

There is only one thing to do with a bead feast craftermath like mine: use your leftovers.

So in the spirit of the holidays, I invite you to take part in the  
4th Annual Use Your Leftovers Challenge 
Are you ready to play with me?

Make your own Keep Calm poster at http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

First, take a picture of the craftermath from your bead feast. Believe me, if it looks like mine it won't be pretty! My studio hardly has a path for me to walk through much less space to create. My table is littered with beady crumbs of all sorts. But think of those bits as delicious morsels waiting for your inspiration to strike!

Next, find a divided box, bin, baggies or small bowls and go through the stash on your festive table picking out coordinated sets that you can use to create earrings. They don't need to be same... this is a good time to practice asymmetrical earrings! Put these pieces together with ear wires, chain, findings, etc in each division of the box. I have found that a mini-muffin tin is a great way to corral these bits! Work quickly! Don't take too much time, just focus on filling the sections.Think of this like your staging area for Leftover Transformations.

Now, kick your creating into high gear! Put on some fun music (I have recently found the Spotify playlist Songs To Do CPR To really gets me up and moving and creating). Consider this a Quickfire challenge...Set a timer (challenge yourself to see how many pairs of earrings you can create in an hour...or 15 minutes... or make one pair a day for 7 days... whatever works for you!). DON'T think about it too much (leftovers are supposed to be easy!), just make it happen. Sometimes the best things happen when you are on a deadline and you can't afford the time to overthink! 

Finally, share your bounty of tasty Leftover Transformation creations on Friday, December 21st by adding your link to the Linky Tools party right hereI would be surprised if you didn't make multiple pairs of earrings from this exercise. The bonus is that you will now have a ready-made collection of quick gifts for stocking stuffers, teachers, co-workers and friends just in time for celebrating all the winter holidays and festivities! (Or a different pair for you to wear each day until the new year!)

In the spirit of giving, I will offer a giveaway of an Emergency Earring Making kit - with beads and findings from my prodigious stash for you to use to make multiple pairs of earrings - valued at over $40. But in order to be chosen, you have to participate in the blog hop starting on December 21st. Winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries on December 31st (that will give you more than one full week to make your Leftover Transformation magic happen!). I'll even leave the LinkyTools party open until December 31st so you have lots of time to play! I will announce the winner in the first challenge of the New Year on January 4th!

Let's get this leftover party started...tell your friends to join in the fun, too! *<]:-}}}}

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Whirlwind

Hello hello.
Today I am showing you earrings I made last week. You should have seen me, my little bags of tiny colorful beads spread all over the bed, me frantically looking for The Perfect Bead combinations. My  sari silk ribbons haphazardly thrown all over the couch (hubby barely had space left to sit). Yes, making these earrings were kind of a whirlwind process.
For these earrings I wire wrapped the sari silk with a combination of Czech glass, crystals and delica's in a whirlwindy fashion. Hence the name :)


Glass head pins by Linda Newnham Copper ear wires by Lucy Haslam



Glass head pins by Karen Klomparens
Copper ear wires by Lucy Haslam














Glass beads by Grace Ma
Copper ear wires by Lucy Haslam
















These will be available in my Etsy shop shortly.
Thank you so much for looking and your support for Earrings Everyday :)
And you know I love to read your comments, so don't be shy and leave some words.
See you in two weeks.

Wishing you all a wonderful day, full of joy, laughter and whirlwinds of positive energy,
Janine
Esfera Jewelry






Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Dear Heart ♡

Oh, deary, deer!  Winter came early here in the Midwest and I'm buried up to my neck in coats, sweaters, and scarves!  For this reason, and season, I like to create shorter designs ♡


These lovely little deer charms were made by Vincent Cav of Inviciti. I am drawn to matte finishes and these are a new favorite!  Inviciti makes charms in an array of colors and combinations.




I purchased the large freshwater pearls from Allegory Gallery They are the most beautiful and subtle peachy-pink with a slight opalescence.  Andrew has such an eye for choosing beads for his shop and this is a favorite haunt for me, even if it's only online.  Those lucky devils that live nearby - I'm so jealous!


The distressed finish also looks amazing with vintage faux pearls; there are so many directions I could have taken these charms.


 I was having just as much fun playing with the photography (if you haven't noticed) as making the earrings themselves!  It's been so overcast that I'm surprised I got as many good shots as I did.




Well, that's me for now!  I'll be back in two weeks, just before Christmas! 
 ♡ Stay cute and cozy!

Loralee xo